This year has been a bit different for me. Not really health-wise because that is always something that I have to deal with and accept whatever it is that God has in store for me concerning if I am healed or will the healing happen as I take my last breath. This is something that I don’t really concern myself with. I have no fear of death. I figure God has it all figured out anyhow.

But, what has been on my mind and heart is spiritual warfare. I was going to write about the birth of Christ, but this subject kept coming to my mind.

Not all people understands that we are in a war like none other. How is it that we believe we are in a spiritual battle when we can’t physically see it going on? Believers and non-believers don’t want to admit or deal with the battles that are going on in our world. The blame game and finger pointing is rampant. There is this mentality that if we don’t see it or experience it, then it isn’t going on. Personally I don’t know how people can’t see that we are in a spiritual war like none other. If we don’t keep our eyes and hearts focused on the Word of God, than how are to be prepared to fight the evil around us.

A long time ago, I decided it would be awesome to play with the Ouija Board. I knew that it was wrong, but I was being drawn into playing it. It is only a game right? WRONG on so many levels. The Bible warns us to not be drawn into the deceptions and lies of the supernatural ways. Playing games like the Ouija Board may seem innocent at first and then it tries to hook you and change our perception. They are dangerous and difficult to get away from.

As I think about playing that game which is no game at all, I think it helped me realize that even Satan knows who God is. Satan wants nothing more than to take those who love and believe in God for himself. One night as I was playing this so called game, it was spelling out a certain verse in the Bible. It was spelling out Revelation 20:14-15: “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” I have to tell you I was more than a bit freaked out over this.

• The second death is a reference to the lake of fire where those who are separated from God by their sin will dwell for eternity. This judgment was recorded in Scripture as a warning to unbelievers to seek the salvation that Jesus Christ provides. The coming judgment should also challenge believers to share their faith. There is a vast difference between the final destination of those who know Christ and those who do not.

As the little diamond was spelling out this particular verse, it rammed it into the Bible that was sitting on my table. My Grandma Grace always warned us kids about playing this game and the dangers of it. Up till that moment, I didn’t get it. But I did then. I tore that sucker into a million pieces. It was at that point that I realized that there is a spiritual battle going on. I opened doors I never should have opened.  I realized that Satan wanted nothing more than to take one of God’s children away from Him. This seemingly harmless game is not harmless. Please Stay Away from it. It is NOT a game.

Satan is very present today. You don’t have to look very far to see the destruction that is going on. As I read more of Revelations, spiritual warfare is evident. With groups such as ISIS and other radical groups of people, we can better understand how Satan is moving and becoming more powerful in the world.

Spiritual warfare becomes more intense when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Satan hates it when people have chosen Gods love over him. Satan will attack us from all directions. Again, we see that with what is going on in our world right now. Christians are being murdered, children are being killed or sold into slavery. Christians are imprisoned because of their faith. It is only going to get worse. Satan will use anything to fill your hearts and minds with doubt.

As I considered spiritual warfare on a more personal level, I feel that some of the hardest battles are fought within myself. I look at the circumstances and choices I have made and I have a hard time accepting forgiveness. I realize that it is Satan who is the true enemy and all he wants to do is to destroy us. Spiritual warfare is very real. It isn’t a game. Satan is going to tempt us and he will use every tool he can to pull us away from God. There are many days where I am exhausted mentally when it comes to battling Satan.

Has there ever been a time when you were so overwhelmed that you gave into the temptations and lies of Satan?  I can honestly say that I have done that. Like when I was playing the Ouija Board, I found that I had to really look at my relationship with Christ. I needed to spend more time in prayer and in studying the Bible. Because of that game, it has done the opposite of what Satan would have wanted me to do. I had to destroy every part of that game and turn to God. I wish I would have listened to my Grandma Grace when it comes to the dangers of playing with games like the Ouija Board.

God has and will protect me and His followers from the evils of this world. I’m not saying things are going to be all rosy, because they won’t be. Thankfully Jesus is with me always.My life belongs to God and he has changed me and I am at peace knowing that I am willing to be used according to His will, not mine. My focus is on Christ only. I made a whole lot of stupid choices, but I know that the Lord is using my bad choices to advance His kingdom. The Lord is giving me the strength to fight against the sinful nature in my own life.

As I was thinking, trembling, crying and ended up emotionally drained after destroying the board, I came to realize that I deserved to die. But thankfully Jesus paid the dept that I couldn’t pay. We all deserve to burn in Hell for eternity because of our sins (Romans 5:12, 6:23). After all of this happened with playing this seemingly innocent game, I studied the Bible more. I was afraid of Revelations because there are some horrible things that is said in there. The awesome thing that I learned is that you nor me has to die the second death. If you’re born twice, you die only once; but if your born only once, then you die twice.

I want to end this post with a prayer and you all can join in if you like.

• Lord there are bad things going on in the world. Christians are being murdered because they believe in You. There are a gazillion things that I don’t understand when it comes to spiritual warfare. I want and need to understand what it is that You want me to do. Open my eyes and heart to Your truths. I ask that you equip me to become a living example of who You want me to be. I pray that you give me a discerning spirit. Lord, be with those who are in prison because they believe in You. Be with those in the world who are being persecuted and falling for the lies that Satan has put in their heart. Lord, I yearn for You to come again. Lord, help me and those who are fighting a spiritual battle to have the strength and will power to control my emotions which really get in the way and my behaviors.

In Jesus’ name… Amen

If you would like to have someone pray with you and for you, you can make a comment and we would be more than happy to pray for you and with you.